The ‘Pinwheels Holiday’ Dress

This challenge coincided perfectly with part of my summer vacation plans. I’m currently in Las Vegas enjoying the sweltering hot, 106 degree F weather. This called for packing a lot of summer dresses. Luckily I was finally able to get a decent amount of sewing time in over the last few days.

I purchased this pinwheel fabric as it fit my summer sewing palette and was a simple, whimsical print. One of my local independent sewing stores was having a massive sale in May and I was able to buy myself a few treats, this being one. However, when it came time to make it into something, I was so indecisive. My Simplicity pattern collection exploded recently due to their big sale, so I had a few new patterns to choose from. I spent about an hour going through all of my patterns – new, old, and already made – trying to find the right pattern for the fabric. In the end, my decision was made when I realized that I had two buttons that would be perfect with this fabric, and thus, this pattern was selected.

The Facts

Fabric: ~3 yards cotton fabric with pinwheel print $15, on sale
Pattern: Simplicity 1873, Version C, $1, on sale
Notions: Blue invisible zipper, $3, 2 pink buttons from stash
Time to make: 4 hours
First worn: This week, June, 2012.
Wear it again? Yup, I think.
Total cost: $20

Last summer, I lived in my sleeveless dresses and realized that I wanted to add a few more to my collection this year. I didn’t make any changes to this pattern, though I did debate lining it fully – the pattern only calls for a lined bodice. The only thing that stopped me was the pleats in the skirt. They were actually very easy to put together, but I did have to consult one of my sewing books for a reminder in how to do them. But I was wary of having to repeat the process with the lining, and if it would create unnecessary bulk. Ultimately, I’m happy with the unlined dress, though for as hot as it was in Vegas, it was also incredibly windy so there were some moments that could have been construed as scandalous… though maybe not by much in Vegas standards.

Oh, and I went with the longer skirt length from version A & B, but it was the same pattern piece so I don’t consider that a modification.

Overall, I’m happy with the dress. I don’t know if it’s the most flattering shape on me, but the dress is so comfortable. I might try one of the other variations like the sleeve version… and I love the little cape jacket that's part of the pattern.

What I Watched: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) and Notting Hill (1999). Was TMNT really out that long ago? I loved the ninja turtles when I was a kid, and my college roommate and I went to the premier of the last animated movie. Or wait, have there been more since? I don't know, the last I heard was that they were going to make a movie with the turtles being from space. Blasphemy!  And to make up for the fact that I watched the ninja turtles, I watched Notting Hill.  Eh, it's alright. I think I liked the concept of it more when I first saw it, but sometimes it's just nice to revisit movies like that.

The 'Main Squeeze (Box)' Outfit

The Facts

Fabric: For the Jasmine blouse I used 2 1/2 yards of white silk. $8
The Beignet skirt used about 2 1/2 yards of black and white wool houndstooth. $12 I also used a white lining fabric for the inside. $3
Pattern: Colette Jasmine and Beignet ~$24 as both were purchased on sale
Year: 2011 (I’m not sure when Beignet was released but it’s current so I’ll just lump it with 2011)
Notions: Just the 12 buttons for Beignet $2.50
Time to Complete: 4 hours for Jasmine, 6 hours for Beignet
First worn: January 2012
Wear again: Oh yes!  I love both the blouse and the skirt, especially together! But I know the blouse is going to get a lot of use so I need to get crackin’ on making some more.
Total Price: Jasmine was $20 and Beignet was $29.50

A challenge focusing on buttons? I know just the skirt.  Beignet may seem predictable, but with twelve buttons, I had been putting this pattern off for a long time.  This challenge was just what I needed to make me do it.  But I couldn’t just do a skirt - I decided to do a set of separates.  I want to do more separates in 2012 and this includes basics like a white blouse.  I decided to pair up the Colette Beignet skirt with the Jasmine Blouse.  Two new patterns that I picked up over the holidays.

The Jasmine blouse was straightforward to put together.  It makes the perfect, basic blouse. I know this won’t be the first time I use this pattern. Next time I’ll use some of the slippery fabric cutting tips that are floating around, like Sunni’s from a Fashionable Stitch.  I need to dust off my muslin stash for such occasions (heaven knows I rarely use muslin when I’m sewing anyways - I’m too impatient).  And cutting on the bias meant that I didn’t need any closures - I can just slip it over my head.

The Beignet skirt was also easy, but so time consuming! There were so many pieces as it’s a fully lined skirt, but it’s worthwhile in the end.  I admit that I had to keep rereading the instructions when it came to installing the facing to the lining.  I was stumped! I almost wanted to scrap the lining just so I wouldn’t have to deal with it, but my patience persevered and it was worth it.  The finished look is so neat with all of the finished seams tucked away inside.  And the actual button portion of the skirt?  It turned out to be the fastest part of the whole thing! Using my buttonhole foot, I was able to quickly stitch the 12 buttonholes, and then easily attach the buttons.

I love the houndstooth fabric. It’s a great skirt for my Bay Area winter wardrobe as it’s heavy enough but it’s still fun and pretty sassy.  The blouse is so comfortable and is the perfect separate for my closet.

And what better way to celebrate this completed button challenge, than with my accordion and it’s 120 buttons! One of my personal New Year’s resolutions is to start playing this more regularly. Practice makes perfect!